Evolução biomolecular homoquiral: a origem e a amplificação da quiralidade nas moléculas da vida

Abstract

Recebido em 22/10/09; aceito em 22/12/09; publicado na web em 6/5/10 HOMOCHIRAL BIOMOLECULAR EVOLUTION. THE ORIGIN AND THE AMPLIFICATION OF CHIRALITY IN LIFE MOLECULES. The fact that biologically relevant molecules exist only as one of the two enantiomers is a fascinating example of complete symmetry breaking of chirality and has long intrigued our curiosity. The origin of this selective chirality has remained a fundamental enigma with regard to the origin of life since the time of Pasteur, 160 years ago. The symmetry breaking processes, which include autocatalytic crystallization, asymmetric autocatalysis, spontaneous crystallization, adsorption and polymerization of amino acids on mineral surfaces, provide new insights into the origin of biomolecular homochirality.